5 Signs You Need New Brake Pads

There are many car owners who don't consider brake maintenance a priority - until there's a problem. Don't make this mistake. When you press the brake pedal, a complex network of parts comes into play. In order to keep the system functioning properly, certain components must be replaced on a regular basis. Of these components, the one you will probably replace most often is the brake pad.

Brake Pad

 

What are brake pads and how do they work?

In most modern cars, the front two wheels have a brake unit that relies on what are called rotors: metal discs behind each wheel. On top of each one is a clip-like device called a caliper. When you depress the brake pedal, the caliper begins to close, squeezing the rotor from both sides. This action creates friction, causing the wheels to spin more slowly until they come to a complete stop.

Brake pads are the removable surfaces that the caliper uses to make contact with the rotors during this process. These brake pads do not last forever. (There are no car parts.) The aforementioned friction will inevitably wear them down over time. Let the brake pads get too thin and your brakes will not work as well as they should. To be on the safe side, you must install new brake pads at the first sign of a problem.

If you notice any of these five red flags, ask your auto repair store to replace your old brake pads as soon as possible.

 

Signs that new brake pads are needed

1. You hear a screeching sound.

Imagine this: You're driving out with the radio off and the windows rolled up. In relative silence, you hear a faint scraping, squealing or buzzing sound. You also observe that the mysterious noise disappears whenever you apply the brakes, only to reappear when you take your foot off the brake pedal. What's happening here?

Today, most (but not all) brake pads come with built-in "wear indicators". The sole purpose behind these things is to make that unpleasant squealing sound you just heard. The wear indicator is a metal piece located near the top of a typical brake pad. When the pads themselves are worn to a dangerous level, the indicator will scrape against the rotor. This produces a distinctive harsh noise that warns the driver that his or her current brake pads are in danger of completely eroding away.

 

2. You hear a clicking sound.

In some cars, the brake pads fit snugly into a special fixture. Other vehicles use clips, bolts or pins to keep them stable. In any case, the common goal behind these designs is to prevent the brake pads from wobbling. If they come loose in some way (probably after part of the surrounding hardware is damaged), they start to rattle. Then, every time the brake pedal is depressed or released, they will click.

 

3. It takes more time than before to get the car to stop.

There is a name for this problem, and that name is "brake fade". Usually, this is a direct result of intentionally applying the brakes over a long distance without bringing the car to a complete stop. Sometimes this operation may be necessary, especially when driving down hills or on winding roads. But if this is something you do regularly - for example, if you live in a hilly area where you have to go downhill a lot - it can take a toll on your braking mechanism over time. By forcing the brake pads into uninterrupted contact with the rotor for a long time, both parts get hot. In the process, their ability to generate the required friction with each other decreases over time. As a result, you may find that your car does not come to a complete stop as quickly as it used to.

 

4. The front end of your car pulls to the side when you brake.

Your vehicle's brake pads will not always wear at exactly the same rate. Sometimes, one side will get leaner faster than the other. If this happens, once you apply the brakes, the car may pull slightly to the left or right. By not checking for this problem, you're putting unnecessary stress on your steering rack (plus your vehicle's ball joints, steering knuckles and wheel bearings). Don't take any chances: have a mechanic investigate the problem immediately.

Note that brake pads may not necessarily be the cause behind this particular symptom. It could also stem from other problems, such as uneven tire pressure, a faulty wheel bearing or a faulty brake caliper. That said, if unevenly worn brake pads are really the culprit, then two new sets should be installed in one session.

 

5. Vibrate when the brake pedal is depressed.

Does the brake pedal shake violently when you step on it? Your brake pads may be causing problems. Brake pads are usually held together with an adhesive resin. As each brake pad wears, this adhesive gets hot and coats the rotor. Ideally, it will form a layer that is evenly distributed over the surface of the disc. But if the brake pads get too hot, the resin may not be evenly distributed. Mechanics call this problem "vitrification" and it causes the brake pedal to vibrate.